On the Go: How to Travel with Essential Oils

Before you become an avid traveler, you wondered how people managed to get from point A to point Z intact and in budget. Before you became an avid essential oil enthusiast, you wondered what all the fuss was about — isn’t the scent the same as just hanging lavender upside down to dry in your kitchen? How do you travel with essential oils?

It’s not exactly smart to travel with a bunch of crumbling dried plants as you board each flight. Essential oils are potent, smell amazing and hold a myriad of helpful properties from antibacterial to soothing. Here are a few tips on how to travel with essential oils while on the go.

Remember the 3-1-1 When Flying

The TSA holds a strict 3-1-1 policy on liquids in carry-ons, which means you can bring a quart-sized bag per person of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) at most per item. Carry whichever oils you need in your checked bag but take extra precautions against spills. Seal each essential oil in its own plastic baggy. They’ll slide right through the security X-ray in their special carrying case.

A clear bag with a secure zipper will help you find your oils and get through clearance more easily. Magnet-sealed bags are likely to unclasp at some point when jostled — try it at your own risk. Always clearly label your bottles, such as “sleepy time oil” and “motion sickness oil.” Before you pack your essential oils, always give every lid a final secure twist.

If TSA officials get curious, simply explain your kit contains essential oils that support your health. Most of the time, they’ll nod along and let you through. Additional questions are typical curiosity.

Don’t disturb others by opening essential oils on the plane since the scents are potent. Dab diluted essential oils on, place a little on a diffuser necklace or make a small spray before boarding. Make it part of your travel preparation routine.

Make an EO Car Kit

You can make an EO kit for your car that you can easily place in your seat’s pocket or the glove compartment. What are your most used oils, and which ones would you use in an emergency?

Most Americans spend 1.5 hours commuting daily by car, and that number rises for avid travelers. Diffuse peppermint in the air vents to stay awake — you can also dab a bit on a dangling wine cork. Create a customized mix as an air freshener. When you get motion sickness, use peppermint or ginger to soothe your queasy stomach.

Always Travel with a Carrier Oil

Undiluted essential oils can cause dermatitis, and oils should always be diluted before use, such as Thieves EO. You can use sweet almond, olive oil or another carrier, but always carry a bit in a small sample-sized bottle.

Build an EO First Aid Kit

Essential oils are worthy of all the buzz you’ve heard, assisting with relieving cold symptoms, headaches, minor pain and allergy symptoms. You may wonder how effective essential oils are when compared to over-the-counter drugs, creams and sprays.

Essential oils are made of the aromatic compounds taken from different plant parts that function as each plant’s “immune system.” These compounds help relieve emotional and physical concerns and can be 50 to 70 times more powerful than herbal plant uses. Here are a few essential oils you probably want to include in your first aid kit:

Clove: This oil relieves headaches, toothaches and other types of pain. Clove oil draws out infections and toxins, and it aids in soothing constipation and nausea.

Lavender: This is known as a universal oil that calms earaches, relieves depression, soothes dermatitis and removes the “ouch” factor from bee stings and hives. Lavender oil reduces anxiety and stress and heals cuts and burns. You’ll sleep more easily on the go with this essential oil.

Kacey Bradley

Lifestyle - Wedding - Travel

Welcome to The Drifter Collective - a lifestyle blog sharing my love for travel, style, wedding inspiration, homemaking and so much more!
Some people call me a traveler, while others refer to me as 'the well cultured friend" who drifts into everything. Pun intended. :)